Celts Top Sixers in Potential 1st Round Preview
The Boston Celtics outplayed the Philadelphia 76ers -- a potential first round playoff opponent -- in every facet of tonight's contest, prevailing 99-82.
The Celtics seem to be peaking at the right time. Though some believe these last few games are meaningless, I think it provides a team that hasn't had its full compliment of players healthy all season a chance to mesh.
Forward Paul Pierce led the way with 18 points, seven boards, and four assists. The captain knocked down 6-11 attempts, including 3-4 from deep. Point guard Rajon Rondo added 16 points and 13 assists.
Center Nenad Krstic and forward Troy Murphy both returned from injury. Krstic tallied eight points on 4-5 shooting, while Murphy played only 2:48 of garbage time.
For the 76ers, rookie guard-forward Evan Turner scored a game-high 21 on 9-14 shooting. Elton Brand, Jrue Holliday, Jodie Meeks, and Andre Iguodala also recorded double-digits in the scoring column.
After a sloppy 1st quarter in which Holliday and Meeks combined to drop 18 of Philly's 26 on 7-10 shooting, the Celts cracked down on the defensive end. From that point on, Boston allowed only 56 points and held the 76ers to 39.3% shooting on the night.
The Celtics also closed out the game on a high note, something they've struggled with in past contests. Boston outscored Philadelphia 24-17in the final frame.
With the win, Boston improves to 54-23, while the Sixers fall to 40-38. The C's return to action Thursday night in a primetime showdown with former assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, MVP candidate Derrick Rose, and the rest of the Chicago Bulls.
The Celtics seem to be peaking at the right time. Though some believe these last few games are meaningless, I think it provides a team that hasn't had its full compliment of players healthy all season a chance to mesh.
Forward Paul Pierce led the way with 18 points, seven boards, and four assists. The captain knocked down 6-11 attempts, including 3-4 from deep. Point guard Rajon Rondo added 16 points and 13 assists.
Center Nenad Krstic and forward Troy Murphy both returned from injury. Krstic tallied eight points on 4-5 shooting, while Murphy played only 2:48 of garbage time.
For the 76ers, rookie guard-forward Evan Turner scored a game-high 21 on 9-14 shooting. Elton Brand, Jrue Holliday, Jodie Meeks, and Andre Iguodala also recorded double-digits in the scoring column.
After a sloppy 1st quarter in which Holliday and Meeks combined to drop 18 of Philly's 26 on 7-10 shooting, the Celts cracked down on the defensive end. From that point on, Boston allowed only 56 points and held the 76ers to 39.3% shooting on the night.
The Celtics also closed out the game on a high note, something they've struggled with in past contests. Boston outscored Philadelphia 24-17in the final frame.
With the win, Boston improves to 54-23, while the Sixers fall to 40-38. The C's return to action Thursday night in a primetime showdown with former assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, MVP candidate Derrick Rose, and the rest of the Chicago Bulls.